Abstract
The digital space is understood not as a parallel and antithetical component of one’s lived existentiality but a significant and substantial component of human existence that if ethically considered can be a platform for realizing religious identity, mission, and vocation. In this paper, social media platforms are argued as the new digital agoras that reflect the dynamics of the ancient Greek agoras. The nexus of interaction between the social media as the new agora and the Christian vocation and mission of evangelization and apostleship is the point of realized commitment among Christians to take part in the formation of a culture of synodality through an empowered and engaged presence in social media. Divided into two parts, the paper tackles social media platforms as the new agoras of the contemporary world and delves into a theological exploration of the digital apostleship in the new agoras with particular stress on the universality of the vocation and its potential contribution toward realizing the vision of a synodal Church.
Highlights
Benedict XVI (2013) in his message during the 47th World Communications Day noted the creation of a new agora with the evolution of the internet and digital social networks, on how people dialogue, trade, and form relationships
As the ancient Greek agora was a place for people to hear civic announcements and discuss political issues, today’s society has recreated it in digital space as people communicate, discuss, and trade in social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
“Online religious communities continued to rise in popularity, some focused around theological discussion or religious study, others offering prayer and support, and others seeking to provide common ground for affirming religious identity”
Summary
Benedict XVI (2013) in his message during the 47th World Communications Day noted the creation of a new agora with the evolution of the internet and digital social networks, on how people dialogue, trade, and form relationships. Subscribers in various social media platforms do not just learn a culture alien to them, they too are creators and partakers of the establishment of brand-new cultures This participatory culture propelled by these digital agoras would aid the Church in Her mission of synodality. It tackles social media platforms as the new agoras of the contemporary world This part underlines how close these digital agoras are to the function of the ancient Greek agora, the heart of the city for dialogue, trade, and worship. Statistical evidence is significant as it supports the fact that social media platforms, Facebook, in particular, have become the new agora for people to gather, discuss, buy, and worship. Han and Nasir (2016) even note how the recruitment for new members by terrorist organizations like the Islamic State (IS) has utilized the online platform (pp. 6–7)
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